Detonating composition



unrrso sraras Fries.

WILLARD C. COPE, 0F WOODBURY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, W ILLARD U. Corn, of 'oodbury, in the county of Gloucester and in the State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Detonating Compositions, and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates particularly to compositions adapted to be used for detonating purposes.

The object of my invention is provide detonating compositions contamlng mercury fulminate and, in addition thereto, an oxygen carrier which does not become moist upon standing and which will, therefore, not cause the detonating composition to deteriorate because of the accumulation of such moisture.

A further object is to provide a detonating composition containing mercury fulminate and an oxygen carrier having a greater detonating efiiciency (or ability to explode in response to flame, heat, electric spark, or a reagent, with such synchronism or rapidity as to initiate explosion in, e. 9., a body of less sensitive high explosive) than have the compositions previously used containing other oxygen carriers.

The object of my invention is, furthermore, to rovide a composition adapted to be used or detonating and which is particularly applicable for use in blasting caps and which comprises an oxid of lead used together with mercury fulminate.

Still another object of my invention is to avoid the use of potassium chlorate entirely or partly, owing to the fact that potassium chlorate is somewhat hygroscopic and has increased in cost to a considerable degree.

Another object of my invention is to provide a detonating composition which is especially eflicient in the detonation of a secondary or intermediate body of explosive in the detonator, where such a body of explosive is comprised, for example, of trinitrotoluene, tetranitromethylanilin, or nitrated vegetable ivory.

Further objects of my invention will appear from the detailed description thereof contained hereinafter.

While my invention is capable of being carried out in many difierent ways, for the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 8, 1918.

DET'ONATING COMPOSITION.

Patented. Dec. 6, 1921.

Serial No. 210,821.

certain Ways of carrying out the same herein.

For example, a composition made in accordance with my invention may comprise mercury fulminate and one of the oxids of lead, as for example litharge (IbO), red lead (Pb,(),), and lead peroxid (PbO A composition of this nature may be comprised of 90% mercury fulminate and 10% of red lead. This composition is more eflicient than a composition containing 90% mercury fulminate and 10% potassium chlorate, as the red lead does not have the disadvantage of being hygroscopic, as in the case of potassium chlorate, and, furthermore, a more efiicient detonating effect is obtained than in the case of the composition containing potassium chlorate, especially When used to detonate a secondary or intermediate body of explosive comprising trinitrotoluene, tetranitromethylanilin or nitrated vegetable ivory. Furthermore, there is a distinct advantage in the use of an oxid of lead, as the oxids of lead are more stable compounds than the compounds previously used as oxygen carriers.

It should be understood, however, that the proportions can be varied to some extent. For example, I may use instead a composition containing 80% mercury fulminate and 20% red lead.

However, if desired, I may use a composition containing potassium chlorate in addition to the oxid of lead and mercury fulminate. As an example of the same, I may use a composition containing:

ltIercury fuhninate 80%, Red lead 10%, Potassium chlorate 10%.

The proportions of the ingredients may be varied to some extent, if desired, and instead of the above proportions I may use:

Potassium chlorate While I have described my invention above in detail, I wish it to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit olitho i11 vcntion.

I claim:

1; A detonating composition comprising mercury fulminate and red lead.

2. A detonating composition comprising mercury fulminate, red lead, and potassium chlorate.

3. A detonating composition comprising 80% mercury fulminate, 5 to 15% red lead, and 5 to 15% potassium chlorate.

4. A detonating composition comprising about 80% mercury fulminate, from 5 to 15% oxid of lead and from 5 to 15% potassium chlorate.

5. A detonating composition consisting of mercury fulminate and an oxid of lead.

6. A detonatingcomposition consisting of mercury fulminate, oxid of lead and potassium chlorate.

7. A detonating composition consisting of about 80% mercury fulminate, 5 to 15% oxid of lead and 5 to 15% potassium chlorate.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLARD C. COPE. Witnesses:

C. A. WOODBURY, D. E. PIERCE. 

